Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Tribunal to release written decision on KED parking lot appeal ... sometime in the next 8 months:
Thursday at the LPAT case management conference, the tribunal heard arguments that one of the appeals — opposing the approval of a parking lot over road salt concerns — should be dismissed. Launched by the Minnow Lake Restoration Group, represented by John Lindsay, the appeal argues the parking lot approval for the Kingsway Entertainment District failed to followed provincial and local planning policies. But lawyer Brad Teichman, representing developer Dario Zulich, made several arguments in a 110-minute submission to try and convince the tribunal to eliminate the appeal. Teichman argued the parking lot, in itself, wouldn't add any road salt to the environment. It is the casino and arena that generates traffic, he said. More on this story here.
City's driving habits to change, in a roundabout way:
Construction of the $80-million Maley Drive extension is on time and under budget, but that doesn't mean some big challenges aren't ahead. When it opens sometime before the end of this year, the extension will ease congestion on the Kingsway and Lasalle Boulevard, get heavy ore trucks off main thoroughfares and offer more options for drivers looking to get from one part of Greater Sudbury to another. Running under budget also means more of Maley Drive — the consensus pick for the worst road in Sudbury — will be expanded to four lanes. But the project also includes three roundabouts, traffic control circles that many local drivers have never dealt with before. Roundabouts will be built on Maley at the corner of Barrydowne Road, Lansing Avenue and the Lasalle Extension, at Collège Boréal. Check out Sudbury.com's video on the progress of the Maley Drive project here.
New minister, new day: Concerned autism parents air grievances to Lisa McLeod's replacement:
A major cabinet shuffle in the Ford government on June has Sudbury's autism parents feeling a slightly more optimistic about the future of the Ontario Autism Program. Numerous ministers within Ontario premier Doug Ford's government were moved around during a massive cabinet overhaul on June 20, including Lisa McLeod, the former minister of children, community and social services, who came under fire from parents over her handling of the province's autism program. McLeod has been moved to the tourism, culture and sport portfolio, and Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith was moved from economic development to McLeod's former role as the minister responsible for children, community and social services. Just five weeks into his new role, Sudbury parents of children with autism already feel that they're making some headway in terms of having their voices heard, as Smith visited Sudbury on Aug. 8 and met with a group of roughly 30 parents at Cambrian College to discuss the Ontario Autism Program. Find the full story here.
Elgin St. Craft Beer Festival returns Aug. 10:
The Laughing Buddha and The Townehouse Tavern join together for the weekend to produce Northern Ontario’s longest running craft beer festival. The seventh annual Elgin Street Craft Beer Festival, which runs Saturday, August 10 from noon to midnight, is a chance to sample many different beverages from across the province and beyond in responsible small servings. The festival will also have sampling representation from a couple of wineries, cider companies and distillers. The festival narrows lanes of traffic along Elgin Street and closes the adjacent Grey Street to create a single licensed area for 1,500 people under a special occasion permit. Enjoy two stages of music and many fine samples of the newest and bravest beers in the market. There will also be games and prizes. Children under 12 accompanied by parents are permitted, but unaccompanied teenagers are not permitted. For the first time, organizers are roping off a VIP section, where there will be exclusive tastings every hour, shaded seating, table service from the restaurants, draws for exclusive prizes and more. Tickets cost $25 plus tax in advance. The price goes up to $30 plus tax at the door.
Still time to grab tickets for NHL vs. Docs at Sudbury Arena this Sunday:
The NHL is coming to Greater Sudbury to take on local doctors in a battle on the ice this weekend. The Vale presents: NHL vs Docs game will take place on Aug. 11, at 2 p.m. at the Sudbury Community Arena. Tickets are $22 with all proceeds going towards NEO Kids Foundation. Before the game, NHL players will be available for an autograph signing session at 12 p.m. while attendees enjoy a barbecue and activities beginning at 11:30 a.m. outside the main entrance at the Sudbury Arena. Doors open at 1 p.m. During the game one lucky fan will have the chance to “Shoot to Win” a BMW courtesy of Palladino Auto Group. Purchase a “Chuck a NEO Kids plane” for your chance to win a private meet and greet in the NHL change room following the game and more. The game will consists of two 15 minute periods followed by a 20 minute NHL vs NHL period. Find out what NHLers will be taking part in the game and how to get your tickets here.
Sudbury Camino promises you'll see the city in a whole new perspective:
Rainbow Routes Association (RRA) will be hosting the third annual Sudbury Camino on Saturday, Aug. 10 with a variety of options for those interested in experiencing Greater Sudbury's natural beauty in a whole new way. Inspired by the famous El Camino De Santiago pilgrimage, or Way of Saint James, the Sudbury Camino is a free, on-foot exploration of urban and wilderness trails along Greater Sudbury's 93-km portion of the Great Trail. Participants are free to choose the Sudbury Camino Walk of their choice, or do the challenge independently and take selfies at designated milestone locations to redeem a one-of-a-kind Sudbury Camino medal. Those who complete the challenge are asked to contact RRA at 705-674-4455 ex. 4535, to arrange a pick-up time at their office (1127 Bancroft Dr.).
Nickel soars past US$7/lb, but analysts say it won't last:
While most analysts are saying it won't last, nickel prices have continued to rise this week, surpassing US$7 a pound Thursday on the London Metals Exchange. That's an increase of seven per cent this week alone, and nickel is up by more than one-third since the start of 2019. A story on Bloomberg News said nickel markets are reacting to rumours Indonesia will move up the date when it plans to ban all nickel exports. Later in the day, Indonesian government officials said the date of the export ban will not change, and remains 2022, sparking a small decline in nickel, which had reached $7.22 a pound, before settling in at $7.08. More on this story here.
